"Montréal is a Nordic city, a city of physically active residents, and an Olympic city. Montrealers are also passionate about winter sports. It's my pleasure, therefore, to improve our offer of services to citizens and develop new attractions and activities that reflect Montréal's identity. Today, I invite Montrealers to don their snowshoes or cross-country skis for an excursion along the Lachine Canal," said Mr. Coderre.

"Today marks the fulfilment of a long-cherished dream. The Lachine Canal is an exceptional site with a strong winter recreational tourism potential. The opening of this ski trail is but a first step. I'm confident we'll be able to develop a full slate of other winter activities to mark Montréal's 375th anniversary," said Benoit Dorais.

"The Government of Canada is pleased to work in collaboration with its partners and communities with the objective of making our canals leading tourist destinations. This project will allow a greater number of Canadians to use this exceptional site for winter activities while discovering the national historic character of the Lachine Canal," said the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and the minister responsible for Parks Canada.

This pilot project was established after a motion initiated by Benoit Dorais was tabled at a Ville de Montréal municipal council meeting on September 25, 2014. Since then, the central city has worked in concert with the southwest boroughs (Lachine, LaSalle, Sud-Ouest, Verdun, and Ville-Marie) and Parks Canada in order to ensure that the project takes shape. The winter trail along the Lachine Canal constitutes the first step for winter activities offered in this location. A feasibility study will be undertaken in order to assess the possibility of creating a skating rink on the Lachine Canal.

The Ville de Montréal has given the Pôle-des-Rapides Corporation a mandate to clear and maintain a cross-country ski trail and groom a winter trail for walking, snowshoeing and fat-bike winter cycling. The initial clearing and grooming operations took place in early January following the considerable snowfalls at the end of December.

Adapted to all, this six-kilometre cross-country ski trail between the Gauron and Lafleur bridges and the Gadbois recreational centre will make it possible to introduce families to winter sports, while the 14-kilometre winter trail leading to the Atwater Market is sure to be a hit with outdoor enthusiasts.

Another winter trail project unfolding along the banks of the riverIn addition, the boroughs of LaSalle, Verdun and Lachine have pooled their efforts to offer a cross-country ski trail spanning 18 kilometres along the banks of the river. The trail, which is expected to open at the end of next week, will start at Arthur-Therrien Park in Verdun and run the length of the shoreline in the borough of LaSalle before ending at Summerlea Park in Lachine. It will include a loop in René-Lévesque Park in Lachine. Skiers will have access to rest areas at various locations along the way.